Bins to be delivered for delayed food waste scheme

Bins are set to be delivered to households in Dartford ahead of a food waste recycling scheme.

Dartford Borough Council will begin delivering indoor and outdoor waste caddies ahead of collections starting for houses in November and for flats in "early 2027".

Government legislation required weekly food waste recycling to be introduced across England by March 2026 - a deadline Dartford and about a quarter of other councils had missed.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said the collections would "make recycling easier for residents" while reducing disposal costs and improving environmental performance.

"It is a win for residents, a win for taxpayers and a win for the environment," he said.

The collected food waste will be recycled at an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is broken down by bacteria to produce biogas, according to Dartford Borough Council.

The gas can then be used to generate energy for homes and businesses, while the remaining material can be processed into fertiliser.

The council said it would share delivery schedules and guidance on what can be recycled in the coming months.

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